DALLAS
(NCBWA) – The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association
has released the list of semifinalists for the 2013 Dick
Howser Trophy, presented by Easton Foundations. The award,
given to the top player in collegiate baseball, is based on two
rounds of national voting.

This is the 27th year of the Dick Howser Trophy presented by
Easton Foundations. The finalists will be announced on Thursday,
June 6. The 2013 award will be presented at TD Ameritrade Stadium
in downtown Omaha, the home of the College World Series for the
third year. The winner will be unveiled on Saturday, June 15 at
10 a.m. CT, the opening day of the 2013 CWS.

The candidates hail from 17 different conferences and 31 different
schools. The Southeastern Conference leads the way with 10 semifinalists,
followed by the Atlantic Coast Conference with six, Pac-12 five
and the Big East, Big Ten, Big 12, Colonial Athletic Association,
Southern with two. Every position on the diamond is represented,
including seven starting pitchers, five first basemen, five shortstops,
four catchers, four third basemen, four outfielders, four relief
pitchers, three second basemen, two designated hitters and two utility
players, among this diversified group.

2013 DICK
HOWSER TROPHY SEMIFINALISTS

SP Mark Appel, Stanford

UT Michael Lorenzen, Cal State Fullerton

SS Aaron Attaway, Western Carolina

2B L.J. Mazzilli, Connecticut

DH Nick Backlund, Mercer

SP Kyle McGowin, Savannah State

2B Michael Bass, UNC Wilmington

RP Brian Miller, Vanderbilt

SP Tyler Beede, Vanderbilt

3B Colin Moran, North Carolina

RP Aaron Berg, UCLA

SP Aaron Nola, LSU

SS Alex Bregman, LSU

DH Matt Oberste, Oklahoma

3B Kris Bryant, San Diego

OF Daniel Palka, Georgia Tech

OF Danny Collins, Troy

OF Justin Parr, Illinois

1B L.B. Dantzler, South Carolina

1B D.J. Peterson, New Mexico

3B Brandon Dixon, Arizona

OF Hunter Renfro, Mississippi State

SS Hunter Dozier, Stephen F. Austin

C Tanner Rust, New Mexico State

SP Kent Emmanuel, North Carolina

RP Jimmie Scherfy, Oregon

C Zane Evans, Georgia Tech

C Kyle Schwarber, Indiana

SS Brent Graham, Campbell

1B Cody Stubbs, North Carolina

SP Jonathan Gray, Oklahoma

C Stewart Turner, Ole Miss

UT C.K. Irby, Samford

SS Trea Turner, N.C. State

1B Mason Katz, LSU

RP Tyler Webb, South Carolina

SP Ryan Kellogg, Arizona State

1B Jimmy Yezzo, Delaware

2B Tony Kemp, Vanderbilt

3B Ty Young, Louisville

The Dick Howser Trophy, given in memory of the former Florida
State University All-America shortstop and major league player and
manager, who died of brain cancer in 1987, is regarded by many as
college baseball's most prestigious award. Criteria for consideration
of the trophy include performance on the field, leadership, moral
character and courage, qualities that were exemplified by Dick Howser's
life.

A Florida native, Howser was twice an All-America shortstop at
Florida State (1957-58), then coached the Seminoles in 1979, after
a career as a major league player and coach. After one year in the
college ranks, Howser returned to the majors to manage the New York
Yankees and Kansas City Royals and won the World Series with the
Royals in 1985. The baseball stadium on the Florida State campus
is named for Howser.

"The Dick Howser Trophy was founded shortly after his death
by a few friends of Dick's in the St. Petersburg Area who played,
coached and worked with him," said David Feaster of the Howser
Trophy Committee. "All knew him personally and were aware of
him as a tremendous player, coach and friend. The award was initially
awarded at the Governors Baseball Dinner held each spring in St.
Petersburg to welcome Spring Training to Florida and, as time progressed,
we moved the presentation to Omaha, the center of college baseball,
during the World Series. I have been involved with the award for
over 20 years and have loved every minute of my involvement. I have
had the opportunity to meet some great college players as well as
some great young men. I am so proud of the Character quality we
have in our award, which makes it unique. I am also proud of our
selection process by the NCBWA which is the most democratic of any
award and provides a true national scope.

"The Dick Howser trophy is now 27 years old and growing
stronger," added Feaster. "It is a true testimony to Dick
Howser's ability as a player, coach and gentlemen. I am proud to
be associated with it."

The winner's name is inscribed on the permanent trophy, a bronze
bust of Howser displayed at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg -
home of the Tampa Bay Rays. Both the winner and his school receive
a special trophy to keep.